Charles "Chick" McNally and the Wenonah Swim Club

Why is the pool such a special place? One of the things I received while at the pool during my years as a young boy and as a teenager was seeing the other families. Seeing how the children interacted with their parents and how the parents interacted with each other.  As I look back on my experience my summers at the pool showed me what it was like to be a good father and good husband.  Some of my examples were the McConvilles, the McHughs, the Labenskis, the Neilsons, the McSorleys, the Loves, the Cravchacks, the Smiths, the Powers, the Ognibenes and the McNallys.

The other day, I attend the funeral of Charles "Chick" McNally.  He and his family were members of the swim club while I was child.  I remember watching "Chick" play tennis with his daughter and sons.  I saw them interact as a family.  He would participate at the swim meets and the fund raisers like "Night at the Races" and was a member of the board.  He had a great sense of humor and always had a story.  He was great husband and father.  I learned from him and the other families and I hope I can live up to his and their example. 

I remember my parents playing tennis, in a round robin format, with the other couples for a few hours then they would allow us kids on the court.  They would rotate the parents on the court while the others would drink ice water with lime.  They were a great example for me, my brother and my sister as well as the other kids at the pool.  Charles "Chick" McNally was one of the best.

One of the great things I think my boys get out of being members of the pool is seeing all the wonderful families interact.  Seeing the couples, as husband and wife, and as mother and father, interact with each other and their children are great examples for my boys to follow.  Maybe we are at our best at the pool, relaxing and not fighting, but they see enough of how not to act on TV.  I think it is a wonderful example for them to follow as they grow up. They are learning how to be part of a couple and a family. I think we have too many poor examples in our pop culture of how not to treat a girl/boy friend, husband, wife, brother or sister.  For that I would like to thank the wonderful families of the Wenonah Swim Club.

 

Chris Campbell

Senior Nationals: Coach Brendan

If you did not see Brendan swim his 100 Breaststroke a little while ago, you missed a good race. Brendan was able to win his heat (heat 8 out of 12) and drop about half a second from his best time. Brendan went from a 1:04.20 to a 1:03.80, moving up from 37 to 32 overall.

Way to go Brendan!!

Coach Chris

Wenonah Waverunners are "D" Division Champs!

Great job everyone!  Let's keep it going at Peach Bowl and Tri-County!

CRABS, SEA ISLE CITY, BANQUET & SOCCER

Crab Night - This Saturday, July 24th.  Tickets are still available at $30.00 per person at the front desk, or from Eileen Lukens, Kris Coniglio, or Danielle McNamara.

Sea Isle Day - What is fast becoming a new tradition, the kids (& parents) get together, at the beach in Sea Isle City, the day after Peach Bowl.  This year, Sea Isle City Day will be on Wednesday July 28th.  Although we all get together at the beach, there are no set plans other than to relax and go with the flow.  The beach is free on Wednesday and we'll hope for great weather.  I'll send out directions to where exactly we'll congregate on the beach very soon.

Swim/Dive Team Banquet - Being held on August 4th at Gambi Caterers, 595 Princeton Boulevard in Oak Valley.  Make checks payable to Wenonah Swim Club for $18.50 per person.  We'll have dinner, awards, team gifts, dancing and a great slide show to cap off a great season.  Put the checks in the Lukens' folder.

Soccer Clinic - This week after practice.  Contact Rob Lukens if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Dave McNamara
Swim Team Rep.
Wenonah Swim Club

A Message from the President

To All Bond Holders,
I can remember when I was a kid at Wenonah Swim Club during the summers of the 1970's.  The pool was clear, the pool was cloudy, we got ear infections, we would put silly putty in our ears to keep the water out, eventually it ended up at the bottom of the pool,  we got better.
Parents, the broad of health has been out to inspect our pool and aside from a few minor issues, the main pool passed.  The baby pool was briefly closed, but is now reopened.  The quality of the water is tested on a daily basis.  The appearance of debris (grass, dirt, leaves, pine needles) in the pool is no reflection of the level of bacteria in the pool.  It is more a product of a dry summer, bathers not showering prior to entering the pool, sunscreen, wearing shoes on the deck, etc.  The cloudiness of the pool is also not a reflection of the bacteria level in the pool.  It can be the product of a long list of causes and tends to be the result of multiple factors and we are looking into the situation.
One of the great challenges of Wenonah swim club is running such a large operation (300,000 gallons ) for only three months.  It takes a lot of work to get the pool open and filled, as well as the grounds and buildings in good order.  We turn around and it is July and the summer is half over.  The swim season will be over in a few weeks and the pool will be empty for the first few weeks of August.  Next thing you know, it is labor day and we are getting ready to put the cover back on the pool.  Sorry to rush the summer but these have been the mile posts of my summers since I was 5 years and just learning how to swim.  The pool got cloudy and pool got clear.
As owners of one 350th of the pool and volunteers, each board member takes pride in its appearance.  We are all reminded by our spouses that we need to enjoy our time up at the pool and not spend our time there working on the pool.  On the other hand I would remind the members that this their pool as well and they should treat it like they treat their home.  We as a group need to clean up after ourselves and have that expectation of our children and guests.  Some day our children will be the owners/members and may even be asked to sit on the board.  We employ lifeguards not bus boys.  We need take care of the equipment and treat it as if we will have to pay to replace it, because we do.
Wenonah Swim Club is such a unique place in South Jersey.  I have been to most, if not all, of the pools in Tri-County and none of them offers a better setting, more land, more shade, and more seclusion from the outside world.  I always feel like I am away when I am there.  I can't see any signs of civilization beyond the fences and with a little imagination and no driving, I could be up in the Poconos or the Catskills.  We all need to treat it with the respect we treat our own homes, so we can pass it on to the next generation to enjoy.

Sincerely,
Chris Campbell
President

Gloucester County Times Article 7/11/2010

Wenonah Swim Club was prominently displayed on today's front page of the Gloucester County Times with photos in an article about summer swim clubs.  Our Waverunners, Erica Sprigman, Cole Jennings, Gabrielle Calandra, Owen McNamara, Coach Lauren, and Coach Brendan are in some great pictures.  Check them out!

This is the link to the online article (without photos):
http://www.nj.com/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/news-5/127883583587960.xml&coll=8

Thanks,
Dave McNamara
Swim Team Rep.
Wenonah Swim Club

MASTERS MEET AUGUST 1st

I am sending this email to make everyone aware that the WSC Master's season is now in full swing.  We are meeting every Tuesday and Thursday night at Wenonah Swim Club from 7 pm - 9 pm.  Our workout will start promptly at 7 pm but please come any time between 7 and 9 if you have other obligations.  This team is for swimmers of all abilities.  If you are unable to make it during these times, workout on your own.  Please call me for guidance on what to do to get ready.  Some of my friends simply show up for the meet that day.  Practice has been ending around 8.  We stay and practice starts and turns also.

I thought I would take a moment to describe the "road map" for our team. I will be leading the team in our quest toward winning the Brookside Masters Meet being held on Sunday, August 1, 2010.  Information on events and times can be found on the following link:
http://www.tricountyswimming.org/Support_Documents/2010%20Leon%20Gajecki%20Masters%20Meet%20at%20Brookside%20rtf.2.pdf
Jen Drees will be assisting me on our quest toward victory.  You can communicate with us openly through this email chain or contact me at 609.617.5434 or Jen at 856.220.5543.  Please discuss what events you are interested in swimming with us at practice or by phone.  Events range from 1 lap to 8 laps.  The more events you enter the better.  Jen and I will create relay teams for those interested in swimming in relays. Cherry Valley wins this meet every year but this year they will not know what hit them. 

We are looking for ideas to create team spirit the day of the meet.  Last year we set the bar by having some great cheers and chants to start the day.  Many teams paint logos on their bodies or have t-shirts made.  I am thinking of asking to use the swim team tent and create a motivating "party" type atmosphere to create some excitement at the meet.  Please let us know what you think.

We will be having a party back at Wenonah Swim Club to celebrate our victory.  All family members and supporters are welcome.  I will be preparing a buffet that you will want to be a part of.  I sell food for a living so we will take the "wholesale" cost of the food and divide it by the number of people that show up to figure out how much it is per person.  It will be very reasonable.

I am very excited about what has occurred at  practice already.  We are very blessed to have great families and friends at the pool and this is a great way to spend time and get to know them.

Please forward this email to anyone who might be interested.  They do not need to be members of the club to represent our club at the meet.I hope to see everyone on Tuesday.

Ron LaBenski

No Pep Rally Tonight!

There is NO PEP RALLY Tonight!  That was my mistake when making up the calendar.  Pep Rallies are before Home meets only.  I also messed up the July 21st "B" Meet.  It's against Georgetown, not Greenfields.
 
Thanks,
Dave McNamara
Swim Team Rep.
Wenonah Swim Club

Here is a video of my 100 Breastroke at Ivy League Championships in 2009 when I was a freshman.  I thought some people might want to see the breastroke I've been trying to teach in action.

http://www.floswimming.org/videos/coverage/view_video/234758-mens-ivy-league-swimming-championship/159272-men-100-yards-breaststroke-final-a

-Coach Brendan

time trials and afternoon practices

Parents and swimmers,

Morning practices have started and we got off to a great start. We will continue to have afternoon practice until school is out. From 4:00 - 5:00 swimmers 11 and older will practice, from 5:00 - 6:00 10 and unders will practice. There will be no little waves practice during the afternoon. Little waves will only practice from 11:30 - 12:00.

Time Trials this past Saturday was a huge successful and I am excited to get our first meet underway!! There were a number of families that were unable to attend. I will be holding a second time trial this thursday during regular morning practice. I need to have times on all swimmers in order to put the best possible line up together for our meet. If you are unable to attend this practice please let me know as soon as possible.

Coach Chris

I heard that everyone had a really good time trials today.  Congrats! Keep up the fast swimming.

- Brendan

Wenonah Time Trials

WaveRunners,

Time trials will be held this Saturday at Wenonah swim club. It will run for approximately 3 hours (8:00 - 11:00), I will try to move it along as quick as possible so families can enjoy the final weekend before meets start. Time trials will run similar to our afternoon practice schedule. 13 & over will be from 8:00 - 9:00. All 9-12 year olds should be at the pool by 8:45, we will start before 9:00 if we can. 8 & unders should be at the pool at 9:45. To make this run as smooth as possible, I am going to need a lot of help from the parents. I will need 6 timers (1 per lane) for each session. At the younger ages i would appreciate it if you could help keep you children organized and in the correct heat and lane. Thank you and I am looking forward to seeing everybody Saturday.

Coach Chris

Dive Team building with youngsters!

With new coach Kyle Banks starting the season early, we've had a lot of young kids sign up for the 2010 Dive Team. We're excited to see the enthusiasm and one-one-one teaching Kyle brings to the club this year, and it's truly fun and encouraging to watch the kids progress so quickly on a daily basis.
In addition, please remember one of the major advantages that Wenonah Swim club has over most other clubs -- a 3 meter high dive! There are only 4 or 5 left in South Jersey clubs, and the kids will be able to learn on the high dive, build their confidence and repertoire, and compete in the 3-meter championship if they so desire.
Parents, please let me or Coach Kyle know whatever suggestions you have so we can make this season a memorable experience for your children.
- Dave Thompson

Swim Clinics

Thanks to Coach Chris, Coach Lauren, Coach Brendan and Special Guest Coach Rik Brown!  Great job!  The kids learned a lot and we appreciate you giving so much of your time.

Time Trials this Saturday!

See Coach Chris for details.

WELCOME TO THE STATUS QUO!!!!!

Be sure to check here daily for the latest swim team updates from the coaches.

Have a great day!!!

Greg McGeary

wsc webmaster

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